Right now you are looking at the bonus screen or the playthrough bar in your account, wondering why the balance is split. The condition that trips up most players is the playthrough requirement attached to bonus funds. It decides when that money becomes real cash you can take out. Until you meet it, the bonus stays separate from your own deposit.
Activating the Bonus
Claiming the offer on PokerStars Mexico is a short process, but each step must be completed in order. Skipping a step can leave the bonus uncredited or locked.
- Open a new account through the PokerStars Mexico sign-up page. Use your real name and address exactly as they appear on your ID. Mismatched details can block the bonus later.
- Complete the identity check when prompted. This step confirms who you are and keeps the account in good standing. The bonus cannot be released until it is done.
- Make your first deposit using a method available to you in the cashier. The deposit must clear before any bonus funds appear. Partial or pending deposits do not trigger the offer.
- Enter the bonus code if one is required for the welcome offer. The code goes in the bonus field during the deposit, not after. A missing code means no bonus.
- Confirm that the bonus shows as active in your account. Check the bonus section before you start playing. If it is not there, the claim did not register.
- Begin playing the games that count toward the playthrough. Not every game contributes the same. Some contribute nothing at all.
- Track your progress using the playthrough indicator in your account. It shows how much of the requirement remains. Stop playing before it is met and the bonus stays locked.
The activation steps are designed to be simple, but small errors cause most problems. Using a name that does not match your ID is the most common reason a bonus is held. Depositing before entering a code also leaves the offer unclaimed. Keep your account details current if you move or change your phone number. A support message can resolve a missing bonus faster than a new deposit. The PokerStars casino app shows the same bonus screen as the browser, so the steps do not change on your phone. If you play on the go, confirm the bonus is active before you start spinning.
Conditions to Check
The table below lists the conditions that matter most, what each one means in practice, and what to confirm before you play.
| Term | What it means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Playthrough requirement | How much you must wager before bonus funds become withdrawable | Whether the requirement applies to the bonus only or also to your deposit |
| Eligible games | Which games count toward the playthrough | The contribution rate of each game you plan to play |
| Time limit | How long you have to meet the requirement | The expiry date shown in your bonus details |
| Maximum cashout | The most you can withdraw from bonus winnings | Whether the cap applies to the bonus portion only |
| Deposit method rules | Whether some payment methods are excluded from the offer | That your chosen method is allowed for the bonus |
The term players misread most is the playthrough requirement. Many assume it applies only to the bonus amount, when it can also include the deposit. That mistake leads to a surprise when the withdrawal is blocked. The requirement is a total wagering figure, not a number of bets. Each wager adds to your progress, but only on eligible games. Games with a low contribution rate slow your progress without warning. Reading the requirement as a total rather than as a per-bet rule keeps your expectations accurate. At pokerstars.mex.com the bonus details show the requirement and the eligible games in one place. That layout helps you see what remains before you request a withdrawal.
A Worked Example
The figures below are an illustrative example only, not the actual terms of any offer. They show how a playthrough requirement translates into wagering. Use the formula with your own bonus amount to estimate the effort involved.
Start with the bonus amount you received. Multiply it by the playthrough multiplier to get the total you must wager. In this example, the bonus is 30 and the multiplier is 40. The result is the total wagering target.
The formula is: bonus amount × playthrough multiplier = total wagering. Here, 30 × 40 = 1200. That 1200 is the amount you must wager, not the amount you must deposit. Every eligible wager you place adds to your progress.
Suppose you play a game that contributes fully to the requirement. Each wager of 1 adds 1 to your progress. At that rate, you need many wagers to reach the target. Games with a lower contribution rate add less per wager.
If the requirement also covers your deposit, the base is larger. A deposit of 30 plus a bonus of 30 gives a base of 60. With the same multiplier, the target becomes 2400. Confirm which base applies to your offer.
Progress is not linear if you switch between games. A game that contributes at a reduced rate slows your progress. Stay on fully contributing games until the requirement is met. Then your bonus funds become withdrawable subject to any cashout cap.
Withdrawing After a Bonus
Withdrawal only becomes possible once the playthrough is complete. The bonus section shows whether the requirement is satisfied. If it is not, the withdrawal request will be blocked. Meeting the requirement moves bonus funds into your withdrawable balance.
Your deposit remains yours, but bonus funds are separate until the condition is met. The split balance is normal and not an error. Check which portion is bonus and which is cash before requesting a payout. Mixing them up causes most withdrawal confusion.
The maximum cashout cap limits how much of the bonus winnings you can take. Any amount above the cap is removed when you withdraw. This rule applies to winnings generated from bonus funds. Deposit-based winnings are treated separately.
Pending bets can delay your progress. A bet that has not settled does not count toward the requirement. Wait for all bets to resolve before you request a withdrawal. Unsettled bets can also affect the balance shown.
Identity checks must be complete before any payout is processed. If you have not finished verification, the withdrawal will wait. Complete it early to avoid delays later. The same check applies whether you use the browser or the PokerStars casino login on your phone.
Withdrawal methods may need to match your deposit method under the offer rules. A mismatch can hold the request. Confirm the method rules before you submit. Once approved, the funds leave your bonus balance and arrive as cash.
How Free Spins Work
Free spins are usually tied to specific games named in the offer. They cannot be used on any other game. The spins appear in your account after the qualifying deposit. Each spin has a fixed value set by the offer.
Winnings from free spins often go to a bonus balance rather than cash. That balance may carry its own playthrough requirement. Check whether spin winnings are separate from the main bonus. The separation affects when you can withdraw.
Free spins usually have an expiry window. Unused spins are removed when the window closes. Use them before the deadline shown in your account. Expired spins cannot be restored.
Not all free spins contribute to the main playthrough. Some offers treat spin winnings as a separate pool. Track both balances if they are shown separately. Confusing the two leads to unmet conditions.
The games available for free spins are listed in the offer details. Using a spin on an ineligible game is not possible, but playing the wrong game afterward affects progress. The PokerStars Ontario terms may differ from the Mexico offer, so confirm which set applies to your account. Mobile players see the same spin balance through the phone browser.
Where Players Lose the Bonus
Most lost bonuses come from avoidable mistakes rather than bad luck. The list below covers the common ones and how to steer clear of each.
- Playing games that do not count toward the requirement. Check the contribution rate before you play. Choosing a fully contributing game keeps your progress steady.
- Letting the bonus expire before the playthrough is met. Note the expiry date when the bonus appears. Plan your play so the requirement is finished in time.
- Requesting a withdrawal before the requirement is complete. Confirm the playthrough indicator shows completion. A premature request can cancel the bonus.
- Using a deposit method excluded from the offer. Confirm your method is allowed before depositing. An excluded method leaves the bonus uncredited.
- Ignoring the maximum cashout cap. Know the cap before you play. Winnings above it are removed at withdrawal.
- Switching between games with different contribution rates. Stay on one fully contributing game until the target is reached. Mixing rates slows progress.
- Skipping identity verification. Complete the check when prompted. An unverified account cannot withdraw bonus winnings.
Each mistake above has a simple fix that costs little time. The most expensive is a premature withdrawal request, which can void the bonus entirely. A close second is playing ineligible games for hours without progress. Both problems disappear if you confirm the rules before you start. The bonus details in your account list the eligible games and the expiry date. Use them as your checklist rather than relying on memory. Players who track progress weekly rarely lose a bonus to expiry.